Please Read the New Forum Guidelines

Phil Gons (Logos)
Phil Gons (Logos) Administrator, Logos Employee Posts: 3,802
edited November 2024 in English Forum

We’ve resisted creating formal forum rules or guidelines for a while, but (1) the rate at which the forums are growing, (2) our inability to monitor all of the posts, and (3) your requests have led us to establish some basic written guidelines. Please read them, follow them, and gently encourage others to do the same.

Thanks for your involvement in our forums!

Forum Guidelines

Comments

  • Todd Phillips
    Todd Phillips Member Posts: 6,736 ✭✭✭

    The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
    Ps 16:6.

    MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540

  • J.R. Miller
    J.R. Miller Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭

    Thanks.  It was needed and most appreciated Phil.

    My Books in Logos & FREE Training

  • J.R. Miller
    J.R. Miller Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭

    Phil, when I ran a forum years back, I was able to pin a post to the top of each forum.  Since these guidelines are for all the forums (not just the General forum), I would like to suggest you post those guidelines and pin them at the top of each forum.

    Blessings

    My Books in Logos & FREE Training

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 54,882

    Even though I've been known to violate the theological issues rule, you've done a great job of setting appropriate limits - which I readily promise to follow.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Kevin Becker
    Kevin Becker Member Posts: 5,604 ✭✭✭

    Thanks for the guidelines. They are helpful to have.

    I do have one question, who do you consider to be competitors? Obviously the other Bible software companies are competitors, but what about other publishing companies? For example, it's not uncommon for people to solicit advice about how and where to research a particular topic. Can I recommend a book that is not in Logos format, or is that promoting a competitor? The other day I read a blog post on Zondervan's blog, Koinonia by Mounce, that I thought would be helpful to Logos users so I posted it on the forum. The entry I posted did not promote any materials but it was on a blog that frequently promotes Zondervan titles. Is this acceptable?

    I realize that releasing "Guidelines" instead of "Rules" is from a desire not to stifle people on the forums. It might not even be prudent to answer my questions, but if you can, I would be interested to hear Logos' opinion and wishes in these matters.

  • spitzerpl
    spitzerpl Member Posts: 4,998 ✭✭✭

    I vow to follow them to the best of my ability, including no longer making "how to hijack" threads :-)

  • Bohuslav Wojnar
    Bohuslav Wojnar Member Posts: 3,477 ✭✭✭

    I appreciate the clear and simple guidelines. I will do my best to obey them. I will miss however spices of the theological discussions [:)]

    Bohuslav

  • Brandon Vaughn
    Brandon Vaughn Member Posts: 27 ✭✭

    Somewhat vague to me, but good ... for instance, where would tutorials (or tutorial products) fall?  Those aren't competitors to me since it directly the use of Logos.

    Blessings,
    Brandon

  • J. Morris
    J. Morris Member Posts: 569 ✭✭

    Would be nice to still have a designated forum (maybe named "Logos Coffee House") for more non technical fellow-shipping...  

    I also stand corrected in a previous stance of mine thinking Logos wouldn't make an issue with some discussion over partner companies selling Logos compatible products... (not the first time I stand corrected and I'm sure it won't be the last...)

    --Glad we do get some clarification...

  • spitzerpl
    spitzerpl Member Posts: 4,998 ✭✭✭

    Somewhat vague to me, but good ... for instance, where would tutorials (or tutorial products) fall?  Those aren't competitors to me since it directly the use of Logos.

    Blessings,
    Brandon

    From the way I read it tutorial products for sale, apart from the official Logos sanctioned Morris Proctor material, are undesired. Any tutorials that people create for free to assist with logos would be considered appropriate to discuss.

  • Randy O'Brien
    Randy O'Brien Member Posts: 54 ✭✭


    Blessings, Phil! Thaks for the clarity and the direction. I've been intrigued by the breadth of discussion on the forums and have enjoyed reading the threads and rabbit trails, but believe that the guidelines will be a blessing to many. Thanks.

  • Robert Pavich
    Robert Pavich Member Posts: 5,685 ✭✭✭

    Phil,

    no problem, you all at Logos have delineated the rules as you've done all along....in a very gentle Christian way...

    I may mess up...but not on purpose...

     

    PS: does this mean that making fun of Philip Spitzer, Damain McGrath, TC Black, or George Somsel's hatred of all things interlinear is forbidden?

    Robert Pavich

    For help go to the Wiki: http://wiki.logos.com/Table_of_Contents__

  • Mark Stevens
    Mark Stevens Member Posts: 439 ✭✭

    Thanks for bringing law and order to Dodge Phil. I think you should be now known as Whyatt Earp! [;)]

  • J.R. Miller
    J.R. Miller Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭

    PS: does this mean that making fun of Philip Spitzer, Damain McGrath, TC Black, or George Somsel's hatred of all things interlinear is forbidden?

    The way I read it, George is still fair game. [;)]

    My Books in Logos & FREE Training

  • Juanita
    Juanita Member Posts: 1,339 ✭✭✭

    I may have trouble with the search before you ask a question.  Even with searches I get too many hits to read every post.  I cannot keep up with forum topics due to the multiplicity of threads and posts.  I do not have an hour a day to spend on the forums.  I will try.

  • Allen Browne
    Allen Browne Member Posts: 1,893 ✭✭✭

    Could these guidelines be added to the Wiki?

  • Mark
    Mark Member Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭

    If these forum guidelines truly represent the company's policy, why not place them prominently on the the main page

    http://community.logos.com/forums/

    right next to the title at the top that says:  LOGOS FORUMS?

  • Kevin A. Purcell
    Kevin A. Purcell Member Posts: 3,421 ✭✭✭

    Much needed and good balance here.

    thanks

     

    They have this kind of thing over at the forums for .... woops. Almost violated them. [|-)]

    Dr. Kevin Purcell, Director of Missions
    Brushy Mountain Baptist Association

    www.kevinpurcell.org

  • BillS
    BillS Member Posts: 3,805 ✭✭✭


    Phil, when I ran a forum years back, I was able to pin a post to the top of each forum.  Since these guidelines are for all the forums (not just the General forum), I would like to suggest you post those guidelines and pin them at the top of each forum.


    [Y] +1

    (Or at minimum, a link back to this post so you can edit them in a single place, if needed.)

    Grace & Peace,
    Bill


    MSI GF63 8RD, I-7 8850H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, NVIDIA GTX 1050Max
    iPhone 12 Pro Max 512Gb
    iPad 9th Gen iOS 15.6, 256GB

  • BillS
    BillS Member Posts: 3,805 ✭✭✭

    Would be nice to still have a designated forum (maybe named "Logos Coffee House") for more non technical fellow-shipping...  

    It's the community that makes us keep wanting to come back. Don't lose it...

    [Y] +1

    Grace & Peace,
    Bill


    MSI GF63 8RD, I-7 8850H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, NVIDIA GTX 1050Max
    iPhone 12 Pro Max 512Gb
    iPad 9th Gen iOS 15.6, 256GB

  • David Ladiges
    David Ladiges Member Posts: 290 ✭✭

    They are also accessible from the main forums home page in the shortcut  panel on the sidebar.

     

  • Phil Gons (Logos)
    Phil Gons (Logos) Administrator, Logos Employee Posts: 3,802

    I may have trouble with the search before you ask a question.  Even with searches I get too many hits to read every post.  I cannot keep up with forum topics due to the multiplicity of threads and posts.  I do not have an hour a day to spend on the forums.  I will try.

    If you spend a minute or two scanning for relevant threads, that's plenty to satisfy the request to search before posting.

  • Phil Gons (Logos)
    Phil Gons (Logos) Administrator, Logos Employee Posts: 3,802

    MarkSwaim said:

    If these forum guidelines truly represent the company's policy, why not place them prominently on the the main page

    As David pointed out, there is a link on the main page under Shortcuts in the sidebar.

    image

  • Phil Gons (Logos)
    Phil Gons (Logos) Administrator, Logos Employee Posts: 3,802

    Could these guidelines be added to the Wiki?

    Added them. They are, of course, locked for editing. :)

  • Blair Laird
    Blair Laird Member Posts: 1,654 ✭✭✭

    MJ. Smith said:

    Even though I've been known to violate the theological issues rule

    I too must admit my violations of the theological rule. Keep me accountable [^o)]

  • Juanita
    Juanita Member Posts: 1,339 ✭✭✭

    "3. Please treat each other with the love, courtesy, respect, and kindness that you would if you were sitting in your living room together"

    IMHO, this is the one that seems most personal and necessary because it may be the one violated the most.

     

  • Mark
    Mark Member Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭

    I see them now.  I did not see them before.  Thanks.

  • Rev. D.
    Rev. D. Member Posts: 187 ✭✭

    The guidelines are greatly appreciated!

    Christina

    iMac 27 inch, 3.1 GHz Core i5, 1T HD, 4 GB RAM

     

  • Debra W Bouey
    Debra W Bouey Member Posts: 304 ✭✭

    Thanks!

    Lenovo P72: Intel 8th Gen i7-8750H 6-core, 32GB RAM, 2TB HDD + 1TB Sata SSD, 17.3" FHD 1920x1080, NVIDIA Quadro P600 4GB, Win 10 Pro

  • Dan Sheppard
    Dan Sheppard Member Posts: 377 ✭✭

    The way I read it, George is still fair game.

     

    Not fair game exactly, but with that dreadlocked caveman hair, smells a little gamey.

     

  • Sharon
    Sharon Member Posts: 191 ✭✭


    "3. Please treat each other with the love, courtesy, respect, and kindness that you would if you were sitting in your living room together"

    IMHO, this is the one that seems most personal and necessary because it may be the one violated the most.

     


    Hi Joan,

    I agree and I hope these rules will also prevent the "coarse jesting" that shows up, when it is not even to be named among us.

    PS  What does IMHO mean?[*-)]

     

    Hi Phil,

    Is it possible to add a reminder to the list to not use bad words or imply them?

    You can check out the thread on 'bad words showing up in word search' last week to see what can happen.  I only clicked on it to see what the error was so I could avoid it.  Instead, I found it was a springboard to use "humor" as an excuse to talk inappropriately.  The thread was not humorous, rather it was offensive.  It has not been the only thread of its kind.  I really would like to not have to see this sort of thing when I am simply trying to learn how to use the software.  I'd appreciate it if you would consider adding it to the rules.

    I am glad to hear your response to Joan about searching for previous threads before posting.  I always try to find the answer by searching and will continue to do so, but I was a little intimidated thinking I might ask a question that had already been asked.  [:)]

    And I, too, will abide by all of the rules to the very best of my ability.

    Thank you, Sharon

     

    wordcenterministries.org

  • BillS
    BillS Member Posts: 3,805 ✭✭✭

    Sharon said:

    What does IMHO mean?

    In My Humble Opinion...

    Blessings!

    Grace & Peace,
    Bill


    MSI GF63 8RD, I-7 8850H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, NVIDIA GTX 1050Max
    iPhone 12 Pro Max 512Gb
    iPad 9th Gen iOS 15.6, 256GB

  • Sharon
    Sharon Member Posts: 191 ✭✭

    Sharon said:

    What does IMHO mean?

    In My Humble Opinion... Blessing

    Awww!  I should have guessed that one!  So much to learn!  Thanks for the INFO! [;)]

    wordcenterministries.org

  • BillS
    BillS Member Posts: 3,805 ✭✭✭

    Sharon said:

    The thread was not humorous, rather it was offensive.

    Hi Sharon,

    I apologize & ask forgiveness for any offense given by my posts in that thread.

    Grace & Peace,
    Bill


    MSI GF63 8RD, I-7 8850H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, NVIDIA GTX 1050Max
    iPhone 12 Pro Max 512Gb
    iPad 9th Gen iOS 15.6, 256GB

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 54,882

    Sharon said:

    Is it possible to add a reminder to the list to not use bad words or imply them?

    Sharon, to me "3. Please treat each other with the love, courtesy, respect, and
    kindness that you would if you were sitting in your living room
    together" covers it. I'm concerned that the term "bad words" is subjective enough that people might use it as a club. There are, of course, a number of words that clearly are crude, insulting, etc. which I think is covered by courtesy and respect. But then again, I am a minimalist when it comes to rules - I find I get greater compliance that way. MJ

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Alan Charles Gielczyk
    Alan Charles Gielczyk Member Posts: 776 ✭✭

    I agree to abide. Just my 2 cents but what about a theological discussion category. I know there other forums for this and I frequent a couple. But there is a kinship we Logos users feel and having this and Christ in common seems like it might be fruitful for these kind of discussions. Of course I could see how this might create some issues but I like to think we would show Christlikeness in these matters. Food for thought.

  • Keith Larson
    Keith Larson Member Posts: 1,133 ✭✭

    Phil,

    I understand totally about not posting links or promoting current products that would compete with your sales, however I stumbled upon 4 copies of a discontinued publishing partner product that I think people might be interested in and I was thinking about suggest something like this, "If you will do a Bing search for Product X you will find 4 copies available for sale." Would something like this be violating the spirit of these rules?

  • J.R. Miller
    J.R. Miller Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭

    Would something like this be violating the spirit of these rules?

    sounds like the same thing to me.

    As an aside, this question reminds me of when I was a youth pastor teaching teens about guarding their heart and purity.  Someone always wanted to know, "but what about, xyz?  is that okay to do with my girlfriend?"

    My Books in Logos & FREE Training

  • J.R. Miller
    J.R. Miller Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭

    PS

    My answer to the teens was always, "if you have to ask, then you already know the answer."

    My Books in Logos & FREE Training

  • Sharon
    Sharon Member Posts: 191 ✭✭

    BillS said:


    Sharon said:

    The thread was not humorous, rather it was offensive.

    Hi Sharon,

    I apologize & ask forgiveness for any offense given by my posts in that thread.

     

    Hi Bill,

    I don't remember anything you may have said, my brother, but - when your brother repents - forgive him...  So absolutely!  Forgiven!

    Sharon

    wordcenterministries.org

  • Sharon
    Sharon Member Posts: 191 ✭✭

    MJ. Smith said:


    Sharon said:

    Is it possible to add a reminder to the list to not use bad words or imply them?

    Sharon, to me "3. Please treat each other with the love, courtesy, respect, and kindness that you would if you were sitting in your living room together" covers it. I'm concerned that the term "bad words" is subjective enough that people might use it as a club. There are, of course, a number of words that clearly are crude, insulting, etc. which I think is covered by courtesy and respect. But then again, I am a minimalist when it comes to rules - I find I get greater compliance that way. MJ


    If you will notice the rest of my post , MJ:

    Hi Joan,

    I agree and I hope these rules will also prevent the "coarse jesting" that shows up, when it is not even to be named among us.

    I do hope these rules will prevent it.  But, it is not unwise to consider a reminder.

    As far as the term "bad word", I used it simply because that was the word used in the title of the example thread.  I was not intimating writing a rule myself, only asking if Phil would consider the subject.

    MJ. Smith said:

    I'm concerned that the term "bad words" is subjective enough that people might use it as a club.

     Truly?  God has set down rules regarding that type of behavior also.  I pray that your concern is unnecessary.

    Let's pray that these rules will give a sort of "new beginning" to each of us.  His mercies are new every morning.

    Sharon

     

    wordcenterministries.org

  • Matthew C Jones
    Matthew C Jones Member Posts: 10,295 ✭✭✭

    however I stumbled upon 4 copies of a discontinued publishing partner product that I think people might be interested

    I understand your desire to be helpful and have done this same thing in the past (on product not available from Logos.) But looking at it just from a practical viewpoint; as soon as you post it, the 4 available copies would be sold. Then the post would just generate disapointment for all the subsequent readers who missed out on the great deal. (I know because I experienced the same disappointment reading about the "library builder" Christmas specials after the fact! [:'(] )

    Logos 7 Collectors Edition

  • TCBlack
    TCBlack Member Posts: 10,980 ✭✭✭

    Sharon said:

    I agree and I hope these rules will also prevent the "coarse jesting" that shows up, when it is not even to be named among us.

    You sent me off into Logos Land to examine Eph 5:4 and specifically εὐτραπαλία.  Having dwelt on my discoveries I consider myself appropriately rebuked.  While I never intended my witicisms to be vulgar, they can easily have been taken so - especially by any who do not know me.

    Thus I publicly apologize to any and all I've offended, most of all to Christ.

    I now return you to your regularly scheduled forum reading.

    Hmm Sarcasm is my love language. Obviously I love you. 

  • Terry Poperszky
    Terry Poperszky Member Posts: 1,576 ✭✭✭

    You sent me off into Logos Land to examine Eph 5:4 and specifically εὐτραπαλία

     

    Thomas, I would like to ask you a question about this, 

     

     

  • Sharon
    Sharon Member Posts: 191 ✭✭


    Sharon said:

    I agree and I hope these rules will also prevent the "coarse jesting" that shows up, when it is not even to be named among us.

    You sent me off into Logos Land to examine Eph 5:4 and specifically εὐτραπαλία.  Having dwelt on my discoveries I consider myself appropriately rebuked.  While I never intended my witicisms to be vulgar, they can easily have been taken so - especially by any who do not know me.

    Thus I publicly apologize to any and all I've offended, most of all to Christ.

    I now return you to your regularly scheduled forum reading.


     

    Hi Thomas,

    Bless your heart!

    I just last night clicked on a link to 'stilltruth' that was posted in a thread.  I didn't know it existed.  I was so thrilled!  What a blessing!  May the Lord prosper you in your work for Him.

    Sharon

    wordcenterministries.org